Ever felt like you're being watched twice? If you’ve spent any time in the N109 Zone, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Luke and Kieran are more than just the "crow mask guys" standing behind Sylus. Honestly, their story is one of the most tragic, messed-up pieces of lore in Love and Deepspace, and if you haven't read the World Underneath chapters yet, you're missing the context that makes them so much more than generic henchmen.
They aren't just identical twins. They’re a survival story.
Who are Luke and Kieran in Love and Deepspace?
Basically, they are Sylus’s closest subordinates within Onychinus. You usually see them in their signature crow masks, which isn't just a fashion choice or a way to look intimidating. It’s actually a way to maintain their "twin-ness" after a series of horrific events changed them physically.
Luke is the older one. He’s the more "vivacious" and unpredictable brother. Kieran is the younger one, generally calmer and more reliable. They move with this creepy, perfect synchronization that makes people think they’re the same person. But the reality is way darker than just being "well-coordinated."
The Ever Research Center Nightmare
These two didn't just choose the criminal life because it sounded fun. They grew up as lab rats.
📖 Related: Why Titanfall 2 Pilot Helmets Are Still the Gold Standard for Sci-Fi Design
The twins were subjects at an Ever research facility (Subject ID 808). While there, they were subjected to brutal experiments involving Protocore energy. This wasn't some "superhero origin" moment; it was torture. The goal was to see how Protocores interacted with human biology, and the results were permanent side effects that fundamentally broke their individual identities.
- Shared Senses: They literally feel what the other feels. If Luke gets hit, Kieran feels the pain.
- Telepathy: They share thoughts and vision. Luke can see through Kieran's eyes.
- Rejection Reactions: Their bodies began to reject the Protocore energy, which usually leads to a messy, painful "transformation" or death.
They escaped when they were 16. Imagine being a teenager, escaping a high-tech lab, and knowing your body is basically a ticking time bomb. They headed to the N109 Zone with one plan: go out in style by trying to kill the baddest guy around—Sylus.
Why the Crow Masks Matter
You might have noticed that despite being "identical," there are hints that they don't look exactly the same anymore. During their attempt to kill Sylus, they were forced to fight each other with a single knife. During that fight, one of them—most likely Kieran, based on voice cues—started to undergo a Protocore transformation.
Black crystals grew from inside his body, tearing through his skin and eyes. It was agony for both of them because of their shared senses.
👉 See also: Sex Fallout New Vegas: Why Obsidian’s Writing Still Outshines Modern RPGs
After Sylus took them in, they looked in a mirror and saw the scars. Luke, being the protective older brother, decided that "twins should always look like twins." He got the crow masks from a workshop in the N109 Zone to hide the disfigurement and keep their shared identity intact. It’s a bit of a psychological shield. If the world can't see the scars, maybe they can pretend the trauma didn't happen.
The "Dad" Dynamic with Sylus
There’s a massive fan theory—and honestly, plenty of in-game evidence—that Sylus is basically a father figure to them. They’re around 18 or 19 years old now, and their loyalty to him is absolute.
Sylus is strict, sure. He makes them do the grunt work. But he also gave them a purpose when they thought they were dying. You’ll see them liking his "Moments" posts, especially the ones involving the MC. It’s almost like they’re the chaotic younger brothers watching their big brother try to date. It adds a layer of warmth to the otherwise grim atmosphere of Onychinus.
Breaking Down the Gameplay Connection
While Luke and Kieran aren't love interests (sorry to anyone hoping for a twin route), they are vital for world-building. Their existence explains how the Protocore experiments by the Ever Group actually work.
✨ Don't miss: Why the Disney Infinity Star Wars Starter Pack Still Matters for Collectors in 2026
They also serve as a narrative mirror to the bond between the MC and Sylus. Just as the twins are bound by shared senses and pain, Sylus and the MC share a connection through the "Aether Core" and their historical ties. Seeing how the twins handle their "curse" gives us a hint of how the MC might have to deal with her own power later on.
Key Lore Facts to Remember
- Luke's Preference: He likes ice and cold (maybe a side effect of his Evol or just a personality trait).
- Kieran's Hobby: He's the one who crafts darts and enhances them with Protocore energy.
- The Odd Workshop: Their masks were made by a guy named Philip, who was also a former Ever lab subject (part of the 303 twins).
Honestly, the more you dig into Luke and Kieran, the more you realize that Love and Deepspace isn't just a "pretty boy" game. It’s a sci-fi tragedy with some seriously heavy themes about identity and corporate cruelty.
If you want to understand their full history, you need to unlock the Mischief anecdote in the World Underneath section. It’s a tough read if you’re sensitive to "lab experiment" tropes, but it’s the only way to truly see who they are behind the masks. After that, go check their Moments profiles—their matching crow backgrounds and bios are a lot more bittersweet once you know they're literally hiding scars from each other.